What should you ask to your doctor?

When you are ready to visit the doctor, think about the questions which will be necessary for communication with the doctor and for better treatment. They can also be written on the piece of paper because sometimes you can forget them. The following questions can give the right direction of what you want to ask.

-What methods of treatment do I need?

-How long will the course of treatment last?

-Can I receive a treatment in my own home?

-How often do I need to take health checks on oncology institute?

-What complications may I have?

-What treatment related complications may I have?

-Do I have any restrictions that are related to diet, every-day habits (sun, physical work etc.)?

If the surgery is already planned, all patient questions as well as the questions of his/her relatives are of utmost importance.

-Do I need surgery? What are the chances?

-Are there some other ways to cure the cancer?

-Do I have so unimpaired health to withstand the stress that is caused by surgery and anaesthesia?

-Does thesurgeonhave experiencein carrying outsuch an operation?

-What exactly will be taken out during the surgery? Why?

-How long will thesurgery take?

-Will I needa blood transfusion?

-What to expect after surgery? Will there be big pain? Will there be drainage and catheters?

-How does the surgery affect my body if I will have an enduring impact?

-Howlong does it taketo recoverfrom surgery?

-What are the possibleside effects ofsurgery, what are the risks and is it possible thatI become an invalid?

-What will happen if I say no to surgery?

-How big arethe chances thatsurgerycan cure cancer?

-Do I have time to think and to consult with another specialist?

After the surgery there are some important issues that you should pay attention to:

-Does theall necessarytests are taken to accurately determinethe specifictype ofcancer?

-How manylymph nodeswere removed andsent forhistologicalanalysis?

-Are analyses of removed lymph nodes carried out?

-Do the micrometastases have the presence of near and distant lymph nodes? Are the cancer cells in vascular nerves?